Ronaldinho to present the 2025 Ballon d'Or: A nod to Barça or PSG?

Fútbol Club Barcelona faces with great expectation the gala of the Ballon d'Or this Monday at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. A delegation headed by Joan Laporta and accompanied by Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Pau Cubarsí will go to the French capital for an event that keeps Barcelona fans on tenterhooks.

The leaked news that Ronaldinho will be in charge of presenting the most prestigious award in football has sparked optimism at Can Barça. Many fans interpret it as a nod.

The club also travels under the watchful eye of Hansi Flick, who is also nominated for the Johan Cruyff Trophy as the best coach of the year. The Azulgrana expedition arrives with the illusion of reliving a historic moment six years after Leo Messi won his last Ballon d'Or.

Ousmane Dembélé ¿The big favorite?

Although there is excitement in Barcelona, in France the spotlight is on an old acquaintance: Ousmane Dembélé. The striker from Vernon exploded last season under the direction of Luis Enrique, reaching spectacular figures with 35 goals and 16 assists.

Paris Saint-Germain won their first Champions League with the Frenchman as the team's offensive leader. For the French press, that makes him the undisputed favorite to take the award.

The possibility that a former culé player will take the prize generates mixed feelings among Barcelona fans. However, the hope of an unexpected outcome, as happened in the last edition, keeps the illusion alive in the Azulgrana environment.

Ronaldinho excites Barcelona fans

The name of Ronaldinho as the person in charge of presenting the award has been interpreted in Barcelona as a nod to the past and a possible sign in favor of a culé footballer. The Brazilian, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 wearing the Azulgrana colors, is an eternal myth for the club and his presence on the Parisian stage could become an emotional boost for the culé delegation.

Ronaldinho, kissing his mother after winning the Ballon d'Or

Comparisons are skyrocketing: Raphinha, top scorer of the Champions League 24/25 with 13 goals, shares Brazilian roots and city of origin (Porto Alegre) with Ronaldinho. On the other hand, the Laminemania keeps alive the hopes of those who dream of seeing the young man from Rocafonda break all records and become the youngest winner in the history of the award.

And also to the Parisians 

In the French press, however, the story is different. There they remember that Ronaldinho landed in Europe precisely through PSG, when he arrived in 2001 from Gremio. From Paris they interpret the Brazilian's election as a favorable reference to the interests of the French club and the candidacy of Dembélé.

This duality of readings further fuels the media interest in an outcome that will be known on Monday night, in a ceremony that promises strong emotions for football fans in general and for Azulgrana fans in particular.

Six years since the last culé Ballon d'Or

Six years have passed since Messi lifted the last Ballon d'Or for Barça. Now, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in the shortlist of candidates, the Catalan club dreams of breaking the hegemony of other big names and putting their badge back at the top of world football.

Expectation is maximum and the outcome, uncertain. The only thing that is certain is that the Azulgrana delegation will travel to Paris with their illusion intact and with the conviction that football always has room for surprises.

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